Jamaica Marks International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

Jamaica, on Tuesday (November 25) joined the global community to observe the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, said the Women’s Health Survey shows that one in four Jamaican women has been physically abused by an intimate partner. In addition, one in three has experienced sexual violence.

“These are not distant numbers. They represent women in our constituencies, our workplaces, our schools, our public spaces, and in our homes. Globally, the World Health Organization mirrors these realities: one in three women will face physical or sexual violence in her lifetime,” she said.

“These are not statistics we can gloss over. They represent trauma that lasts for years, if not a lifetime. They speak to the weight many women carry quietly – fear, anxiety, shame and, in too many cases, silence,” the Minister added.

She was speaking during a statement to the House of Representatives on Tuesday (November 25).

This year’s international theme, ‘Unite to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls’, highlights an often overlooked area of concern.

Ms. Grange stated that in a world where youth and young women live, learn, worship, and socialise online, they also face cyberbullying, harassment, stalking, and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images.

“These attacks happen through screens. But the damage is deeply real, leading to depression, isolation and, in some cases, tragedy,” she shared.

Ms. Grange noted that the Ministry, through the Bureau of Gender Affairs, continues to strengthen national support systems.

She said the 24-hour, seven-days-per-week Gender-Based Violence Helpline has been expanded, and the network of trained community responders broadened.

“We have strengthened our collaboration with the Jamaica Constabulary Force and our social service agencies. We have operationalised regional shelters for women and their families who are supported through rescue, recovery and reintegration in two major regions under the coordination of a National Shelter Unit in the Bureau of Gender Affairs,” Ms. Grange stated.

“These efforts form part of the implementation of the National Strategic Action Plan to Eliminate Gender-Based Violence in Jamaica 2017-2027 and the National Policy for Gender Equality, which serve to guide the work we do every day,” she added.

Ms. Grange, however, noted that laws and policies alone are not enough, emphasising that what is needed is a Jamaica that refuses to look away, refuses to excuse abuse, and refuses to normalise violence in any form.

“Women and girls deserve to live without fear, without intimidation, without harassment online or offline. So from this House [of Representatives], I say clearly: break the silence, end the violence,” she declared.

CONTACT: LATONYA LINTON